Best Dash Cam Under 100: Review & Buying Guide

Ever had a close call on the road? Maybe you saw something strange happen but had no proof. That’s where a dash cam comes in handy! It acts like an extra set of eyes, always recording your drive. But finding a good one without spending a fortune can feel like a real headache.

You see “dash cam” and your wallet starts to worry. Many great dash cams cost a lot of money. You want protection and evidence, but you don’t want to break the bank. It’s tough trying to figure out which cheap options actually work well and which ones are just a waste of money. You worry about blurry videos or a camera that quits when you need it most.

This post cuts through the confusion. We dug deep to find the best dash cams that cost less than $100. You will learn exactly what features matter most in a budget camera. We will show you reliable models that offer clear video without emptying your pockets.

Ready to get peace of mind on the road without paying a premium? Keep reading to discover the top budget-friendly dash cams available right now!

Top Dash Cam Under 100 Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1
Dash Cam 1296P Front Dashcam, V300 WiFi Dash Camera for Cars with App, Night Vision, Mini Hidden Single Car Camera, Loop Recording, 24H Parking Mode, Support 256GB Max, Black
  • 【Unmatched Clarity with 1296P HD Resolution】Experience the road like never before with the Veement V300 1296P car dash cam. Capturing ultra-clear footage at 2304*1296@30FPS, this dash camera for cars ensures every detail is preserved with exceptional clarity, offering comprehensive coverage both day and night.
  • 【Superior Night Vision & Expansive View】Veement V300 hidden dash cam for cars features a starlight-level sensor, F=1.7 large aperture, and a 170° ultra-wide lens, allowing it to capture clear, detailed video even in low-light environments. With six-layer glass lens technology, this dashcam enhances your night driving security, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
  • 【Advanced Safety Engineering】Designed with your safety in mind, Veement V300 mini dash cam incorporates an RTC circuit and eliminates traditional lithium batteries to prevent overheating. This dedication to safety guarantees reliable performance under various conditions, requiring only a continuous USB-C power supply.
  • 【Seamless Connectivity & Easy Operation】Utilize the built-in WIFI and exclusive VeeCar APP to effortlessly control your WiFi front dash cam. From real-time previews to straightforward video downloads, edits, and shares, Veement V300 dash camera for cars offers an intuitive interface for managing your driving footage.
  • 【Advanced Features for Complete Protection】Take advantage of cutting-edge TS stream technology in this WiFi dashcam for fast and reliable video storage. Supporting up to 256GB SD cards, seamless loop recording, and 24/7 parking mode, Veement V300 car dash cam provides comprehensive security. Its user-friendly operation ensures a seamless experience. (Note: SD card not included, must be purchased separately).
Bestseller No. 2
TERUNSOUl 4K+4K Dash Cam Front and Rear, Free 128GB Card Included, 5.8GHz WiFi Dash Camera for Cars, Built-in GPS, G-Sensor, 170°Wide Angle, 3" IPS Screen, 24H Parking Mode, Support 512GB Max
  • Ultra HD 4K Front + 4K Rear Recording: The Terunsoul dash cam supports dual-channel simultaneous recording, capturing both front and rear footage. Both cameras record in 3840×2160P, ensuring clear footage of the road ahead and behind. The front camera features a 170° ultra-wide-angle lens, providing full coverage of six-lane roads and capturing more road details with this 4K dash cam
  • Loop Recording & G-Sensor: The dash cam front and rear comes with a pre-installed 128GB memory card, ready to record instantly. Loop recording ensures continuous footage, while the G-sensor automatically locks collision videos to prevent overwriting. Support for up to 512GB memory card. A lock button on the dash camera also allows manual one-touch locking of emergency videos
  • Super Starlight Night Vision: Enhanced WDR and sharper night vision technology deliver vibrant colors and clear details even in challenging lighting conditions. The front camera features an F1.5 large aperture and the rear camera an F1.8 large aperture, allowing more light into the lens for brighter, clearer footage in low-light environments, ideal for accident evidence
  • Ultra-Fast 5.8GHz WiFi & Free Wireless App Control: The dash camera for cars features dual-band 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi, allowing you to instantly view and manage recordings on iOS or Android devices via the Terunsoul App. Easily download recorded videos/photos to your phone at high speed, and share them on social media, with friends, family, or insurance companies.You can also remotely manage camera settings and update firmware wirelessly through the Terunsoul App
  • Car Camera with GPS: The dashcam front and rear camera comes with built-in GPS which enables you to view real-time live speed and compass on the 3” IPS wide camera screen.It records precise driving routes, locations, and speed directly onto the video. You can track routes via the app using Wi-Fi or review videos with GPS data on Windows or Mac using the free GPS Player, providing additional evidence when needed
Bestseller No. 3
4K+1080P*3 FHD Dash Cam, 5GHz WiFi & App Control, 4 Channel 360° Car Camera Front Rear Inside & Left Right, G-Sensor, 8 IR Lamps Night Vision, 24H Parking Mode, Loop Recording, Includes 64GB SD Card
  • 【𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆-𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐬】The dash cam comes with a pre-installed 64GB memory card, ready to record instantly. Loop recording ensures continuous footage.Car dash camera built-in sensitivity G-sensor can automatically detects a sudden shake/collision and locks the footage to prevent the video from being overwrote even in loop recording. When an event is detected on the road, it automatically locks and protects the relevant footage
  • 【𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆-𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐬】The dash cam comes with a pre-installed 64GB memory card, ready to record instantly. Loop recording ensures continuous footage.Car dash camera built-in sensitivity G-sensor can automatically detects a sudden shake/collision and locks the footage to prevent the video from being overwrote even in loop recording. When an event is detected on the road, it automatically locks and protects the relevant footage
  • 【𝟓𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐖𝐢𝐅𝐢 & 𝐆𝐏𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥】The dash camera for cars features dual-band 5GHz and GPS, allowing you to instantly view and manage recordings on iOS or Android devices via the viidure App. Can visually trace their vehicle's path, ensuring that the exact location of any incidents is documented.Easily download recorded videos/photos to your phone at high speed, and share them on social media, with friends, family, or insurance companies.
  • 【𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐃𝐑 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲】D65 dashcam with 8 LED infrared and wide dynamic range to prevent overexposure caused by headlights, F1.6 aperture and auto-adjust the balance in low light or exposure. It detects sudden changes in brightness, and automatically adjusts brightness for clear recording. WDR automatically adjusts exposure and contrast to capture balanced images, even in challenging lighting environments.
  • 【𝐂𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝟐𝟒 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞】When you park and turn off your vehicle, the 4 channel dashcam will automatically switch to parking mode, enabling 24-hour surveillance recording. The front 3 ~ 4 meters range to monitor the object close to the car, 5 seconds quick start machine, the camera automatically record video 1 minute, providing 24 hours protection for your car. Please note that the parking monitoring function requires the purchase of a separate hardwire kit.
Bestseller No. 4
ROVE R2-4K DUAL Dash Cam Front and Rear, STARVIS 2 Sensor, FREE 128GB Card Included, 5G WiFi - up to 20MB/s Fastest Download Speed with App, 4K 2160P/FHD Dash Camera for Cars, 3" IPS, 24H Parking Mode
  • 4K FRONT + 1080P REAR RECORDING – ROVE R2-4K DUAL dash cam offers dual-channel recording capabilities, capturing footage simultaneously from both the front and rear cameras. The front camera records at 3840x2160P @30fps, while the rear camera captures 1920x1080P @30fps footage, ensuring clear recordings of the road ahead and behind you. With a 150° ultra-wide angle for the front camera and a 140° angle for the rear camera, you'll capture more of the road with this 4k dash cam.
  • SONY STARVIS 2 SENSOR/SUPER NIGHT VISION – Equipped with a Sony IMX675 STARVIS 2 Image Sensor for the front camera, this dash cam delivers exceptional image quality with vivid colors and sharp details, even in challenging lighting conditions. Additionally, the front camera's F1.5 aperture and the rear camera's F1.8 aperture allow more light to enter the lens, resulting in brighter and clearer recordings, particularly in low-light environments.
  • ULTRA FAST 5G WIFI/ UP TO 20MB/s DOWNLOAD SPEED – With its built-in dual-band 5GHz and 2.4GHz WiFi, you can use the ROVE dash cam app to view and manage dash cam recordings instantly on your iPhone and Android smartphone. By using the ROVE app, download your recorded videos directly to your smartphone at a speed of up to 20 MB/sec and then easily share these on social media with friends and family. Additionally, manage camera settings and update the latest firmware over-the-air via the ROVE App.
  • CAR CAMERA WITH GPS – The new front and rear dashcam comes with built-in GPS which enables you to view real-time live speed and compass on the 3” IPS wide camera screen. It records precise driving routes, locations, and speed stamps directly on the video so you can watch dashcam videos with GPS data using ROVE's free GPS Player on your PC or Mac & get additional evidence when you need it.
  • FEATURES WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY INCLUDED – Experience peace of mind with this front and rear car dash cam. It comes with a free 128GB microSD card and offers advanced features such as an f1.5 aperture, motion detection, G-sensor, seamless loop recording, emergency video lock, screen saver, live speed and compass direction, voice guidance, ring of threads for optional CPL filter, a built-in supercapacitor for extended product life, support for up to 1TB microSD cards, and many more.
Bestseller No. 5
Dash Cam Front and Rear, 1080P Dash Camera for Cars, 3 Channel Car Camera Front Rear and Inside with 32GB Card, Loop Recording, Night Vision, HDR, 24Hr Parking, G-Sensor
  • TRIPLE DASH CAM: This 3 channel dash camera features with a 170 wide-angle front camera + 150°Cabin + 150° waterproof rear camera, reduce visual blind areas. The Screen made by IPS panel, It allows you to see a clear picture at any angle without any blurring.
  • G-SENSOR & PARKING MONITOR: SUVCON dash camera for cars built in G-sensor, which will activate emergency recording and lock the recorded videos when it detects sudden shakes or collisions while your car is stationary.
  • LOOP RECORDING: Car camera loop recording function makes the newly recorded video will automatically overwrite the oldest video when storage limit reached, the video can be recorded in 1, 3 minute intervals. Car dash cam is already equipped with a 32GB SD card, you do not need to buy this card additionally.
  • SUPERIOR WDR TECHNOLOGY & CLEARER NIGHT VISION : The interior facing car dash cam design with 4 infrared LED lights, which can accurately capture important footage clearly under low light conditions. The superior HDR technology allows the camera to perform optimally in any lighting situation by adjusting the exposure to create balanced images and footage.
  • EASY INSTALLATION AND OPERATION: Dash camera is plug and play, very convenient. Simple to mount the 3 channel dash camera on the windshield which makes for an overall straightforward installation process. Easy to understand display and friendly key settings make it easy for you to use.
Bestseller No. 6
REDTIGER 4K Dash Cam Front Rear, STARVIS 2 Sensor, Free Card Included, 5.8GHz WiFi-20MB/s Fast Download, Dash Camera for Cars with GPS, WDR Night Vision, 170°Wide Angle, 24H Parking Mode(F7NP)
  • [4K+1080P Front & Rear Recording] REDTIGER F7NP dash cam captures every detail with stunning 4K front and 1080P rear video. Featuring the advanced STARVIS 2 sensor plus the 170° front and 140° rear wide-angle lens, this dash camera delivers sharper images, balanced lighting, and reliable evidence day or night. Ideal for commuting, road trips, rideshare drivers, and new drivers.
  • [STARVIS 2 Sensor & WDR Night Vision] Equipped with the advanced STARVIS 2 sensor, F1.5 large aperture, and 6-layer optical lens, F7NP 4K dual dash cam delivers clear, high-contrast footage in any lighting. WDR and HDR technology balance highlights and shadows, ensuring sharp night vision and crisp details day or night, providing reliable evidence and enhanced safety for every drive.
  • [Built-in 5.8GHz WiFi & Smart App] Connect your smartphone to the dashcam’s built-in 5.8GHz WiFi to enjoy ultra-fast downloads up to 20MB/s. Using Redtiger Cam app, you can preview, download, and replay videos in real time, check GPS ata (route, speed, and location), and manage settings effortlessly, making it simple to review footage and share important moments.
  • [Loop Recording & Free Memory Card] This car camera supports seamless loop recording to ensure continuous coverage without interruption. Older files are automatically overwritten when storage is full, while important events are safely locked. A free memory card is included, giving you ample space for 4K recordings and allowing you to use the camera right out of the box.
  • [24/7 Parking Mode* & G-Sensor] Enjoy round-the-clock protection with two parking modes: time-lapse recording for continuous low-bitrate monitoring and G-sensor mode that records when collision is detected. The car security camera with G-sensor automatically locks important clips, ensuring crucial evidence is safely preserved even while your vehicle is parked.(*Hardwire kit needed.)
Bestseller No. 7
70mai Dash Cam M310, Dash Camera for Cars 1296P QHD, Smart Dash Cam Front Built in WiFi, 130° Wide-Angle FOV, WDR, Night Vision, iOS/Android Mobile App, Loop Recording, Parking Monitor, Time-Lapse
  • 【1296P QHD & 130° Wide-Angle FOV】Equipped with a 3-megapixel camera, the 70mai dash cam M310 records in 2304 x 1296P HD high resolution, featuring almost 1.5 times clearer than the standard 1080P dash cams. The dash cam front can easily capture license plates, road signs, and other critical details on the road. With 130° wide-angle FOV, this dash cam enables you to monitor more lanes with fewer blind spots
  • 【3D Noise Reduction & WDR Technology】The 3D Noise Reduction algorithm removes unwanted pixels in the image and the WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) technology helps balance exposure level. Even in the low-light conditions, the 70mai Dash Cam M310 solidly provides you extremely clear and smooth image quality. No worries about losing important moments when driving in the tunnel, or under other undesirable lightings
  • 【Parking Monitoring & Built-in G-Sensor】Equipped with a built-in G-sensor,the dash cam detects sudden shakes or collisions around your vehicle,even when you’re away.It provides reliable 24-hour parking surveillance by automatically starting to record and capturing any potential incidents.You’ll receive a voice alert when the dash cam is turned back on (Kind Reminder: The 70mai Hardwire Kit UP03 is required for parking surveillance mode and is sold separately,ASIN:B09TDZ6FWZ)
  • 【Time-lapse Recording】By compressing every 30 mins of footage into 1 min, your M310 enables long-term continuous recording at one frame per second while the car is parked. Hours-long surveillance video can be played back in minutes and catch crucial events quickly (Kind Reminder: The 70mai Hardwire Kit UP03 is required for time-lapse, and is sold separately, ASIN:B09TDZ6FWZ)
  • 【Loop Recording & Evidence Protection】The dash cam automatically overwrites the oldest footage with the newest, ensuring continuous recording. However, upon detecting a collision, it locks the current video and stores it separately in the"Emergency Video" folder, safeguarding crucial evidence
Bestseller No. 8
Dash Camera for Cars,4K Full UHD Car Camera Front Rear with 32GB Card,Built-in Super Night Vision,2.0'' IPS Screen,170°Wide Angle,WDR, 24H Parking Mode, Loop Recording.
  • 4K Full UHD 3 Channel Dash Cam:3 channel camera can record video up to Full UHD 4K( 3840*2160P) on the front and 1080P on the rear, Offering a 170° front camera, a 120° built-in camera and a 150° rear camera, it can simultaneously monitor the front, rear and interior of the vehicle to maximize road coverage, greatly enhance night vision and provide clear and crisp images and videos. The dashcam is a combination of front, rear and interior cameras
  • Dash Camera:The dashcam with super night vision and infrared cabin light uses f/2.0 wide aperture with a total of 6 layers of optical lens and WDR technology, coupled with 4 infrared lights, enabling the car camera to show good color accuracy and clearly capture important details day or night
  • Dash Cam Front and Rear:The dash camera comes with a U3 32GB card. Plug and play does not need to be purchased separately. The front camera can be easily installed anywhere on the windshield and connected to a power source, while the rear camera is simple to install and can be used by connecting to the front lens without removing the reverse headlight
  • Dash Camera for Cars:24-hour parking mode, the dashcam will automatically switch to parking mode when you stop and turn off. It can record continuously for 24 hours in parking mode, and has time-delay recording function to record continuously with low power consumption and low frame rate, providing all-weather protection for your car. (Please note: this product does not have it, so you will need to purchase a hardware kit to enable it)Vidgist
  • Car Camera:When the storage limit on the 32GB card is reached, the latest record will automatically overwrite the old record. Automatically detects sudden shocks/collisions and locks emergency footage to prevent video from being overwritten during loop recording. Thanks to the heat-resistant chipset and adhesive pad, the car dashcam can be well attached to the windshield at extreme hot or cold operating temperatures from -40 ° F to 185 ° F

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Finding the Best Dash Cam Under $100

You want a dash cam to record your drives. It keeps you safe. It helps with insurance claims. Good news! You can find a great one for under $100. This guide helps you choose wisely.

Key Features to Look For

Even budget dash cams offer important functions. Focus on these main things:

Video Resolution

  • 1080p (Full HD): This is the minimum you should accept. It gives clear enough video to see license plates.
  • Higher Resolutions (like 1440p): You might find these on sale. They offer sharper images.

Field of View (FOV)

This is how wide the camera sees. Look for 120 degrees or more. A wider view captures more lanes on the road.

G-Sensor (Gravity Sensor)

This is crucial. If you stop suddenly or get hit, the G-Sensor locks the video file. This stops important footage from being overwritten.

Loop Recording

All good dash cams use this. When the memory card fills up, the camera automatically deletes the oldest files to make room for new ones. You do not need to manage the card often.

Night Vision Capabilities

Driving at night happens. Look for cameras with good low-light performance. Some use WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) to balance bright and dark areas.

Important Materials and Build Quality

The parts inside matter for how long the camera lasts.

Body Material
  • Plastic Housings: Most budget cams use plastic. Make sure it feels sturdy, not flimsy.
  • Heat Resistance: Dash cams get hot inside a car on sunny days. Check reviews to see if users report melting or failure in the heat.
Mount Type

A strong mount keeps the camera steady. Suction cups are common. Ensure the mount locks tightly onto the windshield. A wobbly camera records blurry video.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

What makes a cheap camera perform like an expensive one? Or what makes it fail?

Quality Factors That Help

  • Good Image Sensor: The sensor captures the light. Better sensors produce better video, especially when it is dark.
  • Reliable Firmware: Software updates fix bugs. Check if the manufacturer supports the product.

Quality Factors That Hurt

  • Poor Storage Management: If the loop recording fails, you lose footage.
  • No Capacitor (or using a cheap battery): Batteries degrade quickly in heat. Cams using supercapacitors handle extreme temperatures much better. This feature is rare under $100 but check for it!

User Experience and Use Cases

How easy is the camera to use every day?

Ease of Installation

Can you set it up in 15 minutes? Most under $100 cams are plug-and-play. You plug it into the cigarette lighter port, stick it to the glass, and it starts recording automatically when you start the car.

Screen Size

A small screen (around 2 inches) lets you review footage easily on the spot. If the screen is too small, you must pull the SD card and view it on a computer.

Best Use Cases

  • Daily Commuting: Perfect for protecting yourself during regular trips to work or school.
  • New Drivers: A great tool for monitoring new drivers without constant supervision.
  • Accident Documentation: Quickly prove fault in minor fender-benders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Dash Cams Under $100

Q: Do these cheap dash cams need a memory card?

A: Yes, they almost always do. The camera records video onto a MicroSD card. Make sure the camera supports at least a 32GB card, and buy a reputable brand card.

Q: Will the camera record when my car is turned off?

A: Usually, no, not without extra wiring. Most budget models only record when the car is running. Parking mode (recording while parked) usually needs a hardwire kit, which costs extra.

Q: Is a screen necessary on a budget dash cam?

A: A screen helps. You can check the angle of the camera right away. However, some very small models skip the screen to save money. You can still use these by checking files on a computer later.

Q: How do I know if the footage is good enough to use for insurance?

A: If you can clearly read the other car’s license plate number in good daylight, the quality is likely sufficient for insurance purposes. Night video quality varies the most in this price range.

Q: What is “G-Sensor sensitivity”?

A: G-Sensor sensitivity sets how hard a bump must be to trigger the file lock. Set it too high, and every pothole locks a file. Start in the middle setting and adjust based on your driving.

Q: Do I have to turn the camera on every time I drive?

A: No. Good dash cams turn on automatically when the car gets power (ignition on) and start recording right away. They turn off when you shut the car down.

Q: Can I record inside the car too?

A: Most single-lens cams under $100 only record the road ahead. Dual-lens (front and rear) models usually cost more than $100, so expect a forward-facing view only.

Q: How hot is too hot for a dash cam?

A: If your car interior reaches 140°F (60°C) on a hot day, that is very hot for electronics. Always check user reviews to see if the specific model handles summer heat well.

Q: What is the biggest trade-off when buying under $100?

A: The biggest trade-off is usually advanced features like GPS tracking or excellent 4K resolution. You trade those high-end features for reliable basic recording.

Q: Should I buy a dash cam with Wi-Fi connectivity?

A: Wi-Fi is a nice bonus. It lets you quickly download clips to your phone. It is not essential, but it improves the user experience if you find it included.